Enid, Okla. – The Arkansas-Monticello baseball team opened the 2025 Great American Conference Tournament on Thursday evening in Enid, Oklahoma, facing off against Henderson State. Despite a late comeback to tie the game, UAM fell short in a tight 8-7 contest.
Game 1, 9 Innings
Henderson State: 8, Arkansas-Monticello: 7
WP: Payton Byrd (3-1)
LP: Nelson Mercado (3-3)
SV: None
Scoring Recap:
Henderson State struck first with a two-run triple from Louis Holt in the top of the second. UAM responded in the bottom half with an RBI single from Aidan Garrett. The Reddies extended their lead in the third, adding two more runs to make it 4-1.
Elijah Nichols brought the Weevils closer with a two-run homer in the fourth inning. A three-run home run by Cal Jones in the seventh gave HSU a 7-3 lead. UAM answered, in dramatic fashion, in the bottom of the seventh with a grand slam from Justin Santoyo to tie the game at 7-7.
Henderson State plated the go-ahead run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Luke Farrar and held UAM scoreless in the bottom half to escape with the win.
Pitching Performances
- Maxim Mrakovcic started for UAM, tossing 6.0 innings while allowing four runs on seven hits, striking out three.
- Kyle Roop followed with 1.0 inning, giving up three earned runs on one hit and two walks.
- Nelson Mercado took the loss, pitching 2.0 innings and surrendering one run on three hits with two strikeouts.
Offensive Showcase
- Justin Santoyo – 1-for-4 with a grand slam (4 RBI), 1 run scored
- Elijah Nichols – 2-for-3 with a home run, 2 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 HBP
- Aidan Garrett – 2-for-4 with an RBI
On Deck For The Weevils
The Boll Weevils will return to the field tomorrow to take on Northwestern Oklahoma State University in an elimination game. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
All live streams and live stats will be available as clickable links on the UAM Baseball schedule.
Follow the Weevils: For more information on Arkansas-Monticello Weevils Baseball, visit www.uamsports.com and follow the team's social media channels by searching "Weevils Baseball" on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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